TEMPLE, Texas – McLane Company announced Thursday it has been chosen as the main distributor for Fred’s Pharmacy. With more than 650 locations across the Southeastern part of the United States, this new service agreement allows McLane’s nationwide reach and expertise to consolidate the work of Fred’s 60-plus previous distributors.

The multi-year contract, beginning in October, includes distribution of key product categories tailored specifically to fit the needs of Fred’s unique format of a discount retailer and pharmacy.

“McLane is well-known in the industry for offering supply chain efficiencies and additional benefits of scale of a single source of supply for key consumable categories,” stated Michael Bloom, Fred's CEO. “Partnering with McLane as an alternate distribution source allows us to improve our efficiencies and overall direct-to-store process including our ability to improve service, assortment and freshness; and ultimately grow sales and profit.”

Fred's recently participated in McLane’s value-add Center for Category Innovation process, where the retailer was able to benefit from McLane’s proprietary sales database and category managers to identify and capitalize on key merchandising trends and market-specific product mix and planograms.

Walmart unveils list of top holiday toys

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart has unveiled its annual top toy list, chosen by hundreds of kids.

The list includes many toys that will be exclusive to the retailer. Walmart also announced the return of its popular layaway program, which opens on Sept. 2.

“Santa may know who is naughty and nice, but we know what’s on their list,” said Anne Marie Kehoe, vice president of toys at Walmart U.S. “Santa’s workshop is hard to compete with, but we are confident our assortment hits the mark with kids of all ages – we have playsets, ridealongs, licensed merchandise even toys that fly. Our customers can count on us to bring the coolest toys at everyday low prices, online and in stores, and enough of them for even the last shopper of the season to take home something that is going to put a smile on a child’s face.”

Walmart will have more than 400 exclusive toys in addition to the six toys that are exclusives on the Chosen By Kids list. Some of these exclusives include Star Wars Black Series collector figures, the Barbie Camping Collection and a FlipaZoo plush.

According to the retailer, hundreds of kids, ages 18 months to 12 years were given the chance to play with some of the year’s hottest toys and pick their favorites. This one-of-a-kind playdate led to this year’s Chosen By Kids list – the top 25 toys of the season, nearly a quarter of which are exclusive to Walmart.

Walmart’s layaway program begins Sept. 2 allowing customers to get a head start on holiday shopping. This servce offers customers the opportunity to stay on budget, keep gifts hidden until the holidays or pay over time. Customers can find all of the top toys available to reserve through the layaway program, along with thousands of other items in Walmart stores.

There is no opening fee for customers to start a layaway account and they only need to put down 10% (or $10, whichever is greater). Walmart has kept its minimum threshold again this year. Customers can put items as low as $10 on layaway with a $50 minimum basket. Customers have until Dec. 12 to pay off their account.

In addition to working with kids to test and review the top toys, Walmart engaged adults to test and review other popular categories such as home, apparel and electronics. This year, video games and consoles are also expected to be hot items for the holiday. One of the most coveted gifts of the season for teens and children at heart – the Sony PlayStation Virtual Reality Bundle.

Costco U.S. comps rise 2% in August

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco reported a 2% increase in same store sales for August and net sales of $8.9 billion.

The comp increase excludes the impact of foreign currency fluctuations and deflation in gasoline prices. The company recorded comps growth of 2% and 4% across its U.S. and Canadian locations, respectively, while it had flat comps at other international outlets.

For the 16-week fourth quarter, the company reported net sales of $35.7 billion, an increase of 2% from $35 billion in the fourth quarter last year, which ended Aug. 30, 2015.

For the 52-week fiscal year ended Aug. 28, 2016, the company reported net sales of $116.1 billion, an increase of 2% from the $113.7 billion reported last year.

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